Sally-Ann Hart: Standing on the international stage is alluring, but it’s back home the work needs doing

Sally-Ann Hart is the former MP for Hastings and Rye and a former Rother district councillor. 

Whilst the country faces serious domestic challenges – economic stagnation, rising crime, failing public services and a growing sense of national decline – Sir Keir Starmer appears more interested in cultivating his international image than addressing the deep-rooted problems at home.

International affairs do matter, but a government’s first duty is to its own people. A country that cannot manage its own economy, secure its own streets, or provide basic services effectively cannot hope to project strength on the world stage. Yets ince taking office in July last year, Starmer has prioritised visits to Europe, the US, and beyond (seemingly anywhere but the UK) seeking to present himself as a credible global leader.

Despite praise over his handling of Donald Trump and Ukraine, Starmer’s diplomatic focus will mean little if Britain remains economically weak and socially fractured. His government inherited challenges, yes, but its response has been marked by managerialism, not vision.

Meanwhile, working people face growing pressures. Whilst inflation is down, wages remain stagnant, productivity lags, and businesses are overburdened by regulation and taxation.

Rachel Reeves budget was a disaster, the NHS is in crisis, policing is weak, and local authorities are collapsing under financial pressures or mismanagement. The deterioration in law and order is shocking, with shoplifting, anti-social behaviour, and violent crime rising. Public confidence in the justice system is low.

These are the real priorities for the British people, yet the Labour government is more focused on securing a seat at the global table.

One of the few areas where Starmer has made a bold domestic move is his decision to scrap NHS England. There is no doubt that despite record investment, the system is bloated and not working.

But if Starmer believes centralisation is the answer, he has learned nothing from his own party’s disastrous management of NHS Wales, which has been under Labour control for decades and is the worst performing health system in the UK. Would it not make more sense to devolve all healthcare to Integrated Care Boards, giving them full responsibility for commissioning and managing services? This would certainly be a logical step towards a more efficient, locally-responsive healthcare system.

Conservatives should seize the opportunity to champion localism in healthcare, counter Labour’s instinct for central control, and make the NHS work for patients rather than bureaucrats.

A strong nation is built on strong foundations. Britain cannot claim to be a serious international player while it is economically and socially fragile. Real global influence does not come from gallivanting around the world, but from domestic strength: a productive economy, secure borders, safe streets, and a confident national identity.

Conservatives must drive this message home. It must present itself as the party that understands the people’s priorities and delivers real change, not just rhetoric.

To prepare for government again, the Conservative Party must focus on the core priorities that affect people’s daily lives and offer bold solutions for economic growth: cutting taxes, scrapping red tape, and prioritising skills, innovation and productivity.

We must also restore public confidence in policing, which is at an all time low. Policing needs to be visible and effective, with zero tolerance for ant-social behaviour and retail crime. We need tougher sentences for repeat offenders and rebuild respect for law enforcement. We must stop treating criminals as victims.

Conservatives must also set out a credible plan to restore control of Britain’s borders, prioritising immigration that benefits Britain, and we must do what we promised to do many years ago reform public services so that the focus is on service delivery not bloated bureaucracy.

Alongside delivering better education and vocational training, we need a cultural and national re-set and a focus on what unites our country. We should be proud of who we are, and stand up for our values of fairness, tolerance and free speech. We must be unapologetically Conservative to win back public trust and offer a bold alternative to managing decline.

The message should be clear: Britain must get its house in order. Sir Keir wants to look impressive on the world stage; we must show – Kemi Badenoch must prove – that she cares more about delivering for the British people than being liked in international circles. Only by fixing our economy, restoring law and order, and rebuilding national strength can Britain truly lead on the world stage.